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This book will appeal to two kinds of people: those who have engineering or technical backgrounds, and those who don't. My wife is in the second category. She found the history and details of the water supply gave a fascinating window into ordinary life in Roman times. The problem that every civilization must solve, obtaining and distributing potable water, solved in a characteristically Roman manner by efficient public construction.

As an engineer, I became fascinated with the technical knowledge and skills demonstrated. Both civil engineering and hydraulic engineering expertise, achieving fine results with crude instruments. We marvel at Roman stonework, but keeping a constant slope over several kilometers is more technically difficult.

I found that much of what one knows about aqueducts isn't true. Siphons to cross valleys, instead of more costly and difficult bridges. Manholes at frequent intervals, for manually cleaning out limestone deposits, the bane of the system. Concrete and polished hydraulic cement. Who knew?

While the topics are technical, the writing is clear and self-explanatory, and the text is profusely illustrated. As long as you remember that water runs downhill, you'll be technically comfortable. The text follows the downhill flow of the water through the system, from the lakes or springs, to the cities, to the baths and fountains, to the sewers.

My major complaint is poor availability. Despite Amazon's current (August '05) "normally 3 to 5 weeks" to ship, I've now waited over 30 days for my second copy, and have been advised of at least another 30 day delay. My emailed enquiry to the publisher went unanswered.

I want to share this book with friends, but not my copy. "There are two kinds of fools: those who lend books, and those who return them." So, order yours now. Maybe you'll get it by Christmas. Enjoy!

After reading "Pompeii: A Novel" (Robert Harris) I was keen to read more on the details of the aqueducts that starred in Harris' book and found this book.

If you've even wondered "how did they do it" then this book will tell you. While sometimes a little lacking in punctuation the book flows well and is well illustrated.

I was certainly left with a renewed respect for the Roman engineers after reading this.

And apart from the engineering it gives you an insight into a completely different cultural perspective. Hodge makes the case that, contrary to popular belief, the aqueducts were primarily for what we might view as an extravagance given the cost - public & private baths and water features.

I bought this book because it was one of the few recommended books about aqueducts to be recommended to me for my writing about Ancient Rome. I have no engineering experience, but found the book to be very easy to follow and enjoyable to read.

All the questions I had about aqueducts were answered in this book and it gave me more than enough information on the subject.

I wish my history professors in college would have used sections of this book during the discussions on aqueducts because we were taught so little about these engineering miracles.

Having worked and managed movie theatres from the 40s thru early 70s, and now considered a "dinosaur" of that age, was completely captivated by the coverage accomplished by Ms.Valentine, especially on the accomplishments of architect Lee.She captured the "flavor" and context of that wonderful era,never to be again. And surprise of surprises,I actually managed or knew intimately of some of the theatres Mr.Lee designed or worked on! I have nearly all the books published on movie theatres,et al,but have to admit this particular tome really grabbed me emotionally with text and photos so for the while it took me to read this book(hard to put down)I re-lived that era in a way I never thought possible. (The Arden in Lynwood, Tower in L.A., the old Alhambra in Alhambra, are only a few I "set foot in again"!)..if I could give it more than 5 stars I would! A tip of my hat to Ms.Valentine, to Mr.Lee, and the great bunch of people I worked with, and for, oh, so many, many years ago

My sister has written a very intelligent and well thought out book. She deserves to be rich and famous.

I am a brazilian architect, working now in a thesis research about movie theaters located in my city, Porto Alegre, in the south of Brazil. I found this book in B&N store, in New York. It's a great book! GOOD for my work in research end for teaching architecture design (at an architecture school)about movie theaters. (sorry for my poor english...)

There are a lot of clear patterns with around 50 pieces. Many Flowers and a few birds. I am looking for transom and fan light patterns that feature birds and found only one pattern in this book that I could use. However, the flower patterns have really caught my eye.

This is one of my favorite source books for designs. I use them in computer application so the line size and clarity are important. Like all Mr. Sibbitt's books, the image quality is high. The designs also lend themselves well to a little adjustment in width or height adjustment. Many of the designs have similar components in them allowing one to use them for matching pieces for both transoms and sidelights.

Although this book has few color examples in it the patterns are all top notch. I like it. I will adapt some of the patterns, as I do all book patterns, into something more from my brain. This is a good idea resource book. The piece counts my make it more of intermediate use rather than for beginners.

Well worth with money. A stunning book.
I'd recommend really any book from this publisher. World class art books.

Excellent prompt service of a great book at a great price. Thank You ET

Nothing is more lovely or inviting than a spa, and the best mimic pools and lovely outdoors environments. Whether you're a traveler seeking the ultimate spa or a homeowner seeking ideas for reproducing paradise in your own backyard, Spa is the book of choice for locating both ideas and destinations. Spas around the world, from resorts and hotel spas to, are profiled and packed into a lovely book filled with photos and ideas. Spa prices and services will appeal to destination-oriented travelers, while the extensive color shots of spa surroundings, both interior and exterior, offer plenty of ideas for homeowners who would create smaller versions of paradise.

Great usage of photography as a graphic and combining it with typography. Different approach. A must have for a designer.

The ultimate must have book if you like graphic design that is new, inspiring, innovative and has a fine art twist. Each page contains lots of energy expressed by beautiful bright colors and textures.

Get it now, you will not regret this.

Dirk Rudolph's design, known to me before through Rammstein, shows clean compositions pleasing to the eye no matter its contents, great use of photographic elements and an exquisite combination of creative graphic impressions, not to mention the incredible text distribution, shows talent beyond doubt.

I vividly remember the first time I saw this book at the local comic book store. Wow~ Just amazing, it blew my brains out. There is no other book like Spectrum series books. Book features full color drawing, paintings and sculptures by fantastic artist from all over the world. You will see so many styles and techniques that you never seen before. This is a must for Artist, Illustrators, and Art Directors.

Almost any one of the pieces in this collection is worth the price of the book. There are no monkey swathes of paint against white canvas here, my friends. No, here are works that will quicken your breath, accelerate your heartbeat, and ignite the synapses in your mind. And as my fellow reviewer commented, this book is a wellspring of inspiration. Just flip the pages and see for your self. Works like "Number 16" and "Prudence II" present this point more eloquently than I ever could. I have only one pique. There was no art from any of the Galerie Morpheus artists like Giger, Yerka, and De Es. Despite this, I urge all fans of SF and Fantasy art to buy this book. You won't be dissappointed.

Spectrum 4 is one of those books that artists turn to when ideas are at a premium. The artwork is so voluminous and diverse in character. Every possible stylization of fantasy art is represented. Some works are intense and mysterious, dark and brooding. While others follow a campy, comic book hero genre. My favorite works are more of an illustrative fairy tale approach. However, I find this book to be a wonderful resource for those times when the well is running dry.

This is an excellent portrayal of Stanford White, his childhood, his education, and the brick-by-brick rise of his stellar architectural career. The narrative contains none of the rancor of Suzannah Lessard's portrayal of White, instead focusing on the myriad buildings he designed and his masterful blending of diverse architectural styles. The technical descriptions are balanced by colorful accounts of White's clients, White's personal life, and the maelstrom surrounding White's tragic death. This isn't just an architectural book, it's very readable American history. Dozens of photographs accompany the text.

The book business is really weird. Hundreds of people who know nothing -- the authors of those Chicken Soup and diet books come to mind -- write books that leap out of the bookstores. And scholars who spend years learning about fascinating subjects end up being the 1,456,657th best seller on Amazon.com. I was browsing in my library when I came across this retrospective of Stanford White's work and life in New York. It's a magnificent book, lovingly and intelligently written; the kind of book you can read once a year and continue to enjoy. Anybody who loves history, particularly the history of NYCity should try to get this book. The pictures are terrific. The authors should be proud of themselves.

Now in focus: A photo-packed history of a city that once was. Part architectural retrospective, part biography, part cultural and social history, this gem is both a brilliant evocation of the noted architect's life and times, as well as a portfolio of unforgettable images of his priceless legacy to the Big Apple, such sa Madison Square Garden and the Washington Square Arch. Author David Garrard Lowe marries stunning photographs with lively prose that brings to life the glittering, and often sensational, world of New York's
"beau mode" --- both city and country ---- in the late 19th and 20thc centuries. Start spreading the news, I'm leaving today ... to buy this book.

Star Quality is fun, easy to read and packed with good information. In this simple book you will learn how to get into acting from telivision to feature films. The information here can save you time, money and put you on the right road. If you want to get into show business you must read Star Quality.

Star Quality is fun, easy to read and packed with good information. In this simple book you will learn how to get into acting from telivision to feature films. The information here can save you time, money and put you on the right road. If you want to get into acting, you must read Star Quality.

You may be advanced or you my be new; whatever you are, this book is for you. If you are into film, TV or commercial acting STAR QUALITY can teach you more in a few pages than some books do in over 100 pages.

The professional actor will be brushed-up on everything from agents, auditions, etc. (If you can't audition well, no matter how good of an actor you are, you'll never work.) Star Quality is the bloodline to WORK. He also talks about casting directors and how to be your own agent.

For new people, you will know everything you need to do to get a good, positive start for yourself or your child. I know it worked for me!

The secret audition techniques are what REALLY make it worthwhile!

Purchased as a gift for someone who loves to visit the State Houses.
Beautiful photos and history of each capitol- couldn't be more pleased.

This is a very well executed book. The images are first rate and the text is highly informative. Every state capitol building is covered extensively and the book is full of great photographs, every state capitol building gets the same indepth coverage. I liked how the book is done in chronological order, you get to see the capitols evolve and see what was considered opulent at the time. I have been waiting for a book like this for some time and am so pleased that Ms. Thrane has put out such a wonderful book. Thank you.

If you're interested in architecture or history - especially if you want a flavor for the rich variety of our states and their capitols, this is a wonderful book. The large format photography is excellent and, according to the photographer, used only available lighting. It provides a real sense of the buildings and what has inspired each state. The text also provides a wealth of information about each building. I wish the book had been arranged by when each state attained statehood. A great gift for the traveler for the person who wishes they could travel. A wonderful reference for the library. Or, for me, the latest book on my coffee table.

Rose O'Neill writes with the flourish and flurry of a legion of Kewpies in full cute mode, but there is charm and a wealth of information to be found in this delightful little book that opens a window onto the world of one of America's most underated artists, creator of a cultural icon, and an icon herself, the fabled Rose of Washington Square! While men still grumble that "Women can't draw comics", Rose O'Neill was beating the boys at their own game with her unique mixture of beauty, grace, wit, unbelievable raw talent and an abundance of charm matched only by her personal generosity. I came away from this book with the feeling that I had met someone I genuinely liked, aware of her own beauty (but not even remotely vain because there doesn't appear to have been an overassesment of her looks. She was a stunner.) Her tales of life in the Ozarks are particularly interesting and the only thing regrettable about this book is that it was too short. I would have relished more details about her marriage to pioneer filmaker Gray Latham and it could have used an afterword that gave more detail about the end of her life. Highly recommended for those seeking a glimpse into the rarely seen life of women cartoonists, artists, and the Belle Epoque.

While this book is not a great literary work, it is a wonderful resource for the Rose O'Neill enthusiast. I found it to be the most comprehensive record of Rose O'Neill's life I have read to date. In her own words, Rose describes her upbringing in an extremely unconventional household by a mother and father, both well-read and educated, with a mutual interest in the arts. Her father wanted to make an "experiment" of her regarding her education and along with reading classic literature, listening to Irish stories of fairies and little people, he always provided her with sharp pencils and plenty of paper on which to draw.

Extensive information is provided on Rose's life including her first trip from New York to the family's new home at Bonniebrook, in the Ozark Mountains of Missouri, her marriages and her struggles to make the first Kewpie dolls.

After reading this book it is easy to understand why Rose became the woman and artist that she was. It covers her formative years, beginning her career as an illustrator at a very early age, to her novels, poetry, sculpture, and serious art.

Rose O'Neill was a household name in her long lasting hey-day, yet somehow managed to die in an obscure part of the Ozarks,alone and forgotten. A brilliant draughtsman,portraitist and humorist ,it was O'Neill's sad paradoxical fate to be known for her Kewpie creations as well as condemned to try and repeat their success over and over. Dr.Brunell's sensitive presentation of O'Neill's own words beautifully reveal the vibrant personality who enchanted the world with her unique personality as well as her artistic gifts.